07 June Blenheim Sun Newspaper

have asked for a much better weekend’

Continued from page 1.

It was Nelson hunter Harrison Trowbridge’s second time in the event. This year he shot four stags and a pig travelling down to Hoikitika and Lake Rotoiti with mates Brad Pyers and Ted Oakely.

“They were pretty big nights out,” he says. “I located a deer and made the stalk in on it to run it only 50 metres in front of us. We were all surprised at first, Ted shot and missed and I was just lucky and waited for a shot to present itself while on the move.”

Harrison says he was ‘over the moon’ to win the heaviest deer category with a weigh in at 133kgs. “I couldn’t have asked for a much better weekend,” he says.

Tavern co-owner Stacey Goodwin says it was a great day had by all and everyone was having a great time despite the rain coming later in the afternoon with most staying for the prizegiving. She says a special thanks to Blenheim Police who was on hand to draw the major spot prizes and the Toyota Hilux won by Sam Lunn from Seddon. The tavern would also like to say a huge thanks to all the sponsors involved in this year’s hunt and a special mention to Andrew and Ben Norris from Houston Motor Group and Marlborough Motor Centre.

The final results were;

OPEN

Pigs

Nathan Gray, Average, 45.6kg. Bruce Anderson, Heaviest, 82kg. Monica Lewis, 2nd Heaviest, 80.5kg. Eli Taylor, 3rd Heaviest, 75kg.

Deer

Ned Boyce, Average, 70.7kg. Harrison Trowbridge, Heaviest, 132.5kg. Jason Templeman, 2nd Heaviest, 128kg. Shaun Ford, 3rd Heaviest, 127kg.

TEENS

Pigs

Elijah Lambert, Average, 40kg. Mia Higgins, Heaviest, 70kg. Fletcher Kopua, 2nd Heaviest, 62kg. Charlie Robinson 3rd, Heaviest, 56.5kg.

Goats

Joseph Begg, Average, 23kg. Milly Lane, Heaviest, 42.2kg. Angus Wilson, 2nd Heaviest, 36.6kg. Ryder Reay, 3rd Heaviest, 36.6kg.

KIDS

Hare

Aleki Redid, 4.266kg. Skylah Jarrett, 4.052kg. Phineas KissaneRako, 3.906kg

Rabbit

Ayla Anderson, 2.29kg. Kohen Russ, 2.242kg. Addison Hall, 2.006kg.

Possum

Alexis Martin, 5.454kg. Arlo Taane, 4.95kg. Liam Hall, 4.932kg

Barnes Thelma & Alistair Sowman Barry Holmwood Ethan Williams Terry Ryan Faye Partridge

SMART FAMILY THAT: Struan, Derin, Flynn and Eira Smart showing their hard efforts catching possums.

Te Whatu Ora delays decision

By Chris Valli

Te Whatu Ora is delaying decisions on a mass restructure involving about 1600 jobs with the national health screening unit.

It is unknown at this stage if Marlborough based management staff will be affected.

The National Screening Unit is responsible for the ‘safety, effectiveness and quality’ of bowel, breast cancer and cervical screening programmes.

Andrew Slater, Chief People Officer for Te Whatu Ora told the Sun Newspaper the organisation started the next stage of consultation in March on proposals to streamline their corporate and office management functions to ‘better support frontline care.’

Slater says most of the proposed changes will impact people who are in management and leadership roles or teams in corporate and office management functions.

“The change process is taking longer than initially anticipated, given the importance of the decision-making, and the need to work through and consider the very thoughtful and extensive feedback our staff has shared,” he says. “While the consultation process is ongoing it would be inappropriate to speculate on how many roles may be impacted.”

Slater says with regards to the National Screening Service ‘the organisational structure for the

delivery of the services is currently being consulted on.’

“Screening programmes play a critical role in improving health outcomes and preventing deaths from cancer and are a key priority for Te Whatu Ora under Te Pae Tata. We remain focused on continuing to deliver and improve all our screening programmes, including bowel, cervical and breast screening, and antenatal and new born screening.”

The Public Service Association said it had been advocating for all workers, as many were not covered by a collective, and was pleased Te Whatu Ora had been listening.

“This is too important to be rushed,” national secretary Kerry Davies said in a statement last

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inbrief

Sun The Godzone to be hosted in Marlborough

Marlborough’s richly distinctive landscapes and adventurous locations will form the backdrop for the world’s largest expedition race as the host location for One NZ GODZONE Chapter 12.

One NZ GODZONE says the Marlborough District Council has successfully bid for the rights to host New Zealand’s most iconic adventure race next year, with race dates set for 29th February – 8th March 2024.

Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor says hosting the prestigious outdoor event that brings plenty of regional economic and promotional benefits is an honour.

“The people of Marlborough are great hosts and the GODZONE competitors and visitors will be well looked after. I am sure they will also enjoy some welldeserved post-race relaxation here in Marlborough as New Zealand’s premier wine region too.”

week.

About 1600 jobs have widely been reported as being on the chopping block, though Te Whatu Ora have said that some jobs would merely have their “reporting lines” changed. The huge agency has done zero external consultation over the changes aimed to concretiseunder the banner “Simplify to Unify” - the long-running health sector sea-change that is very far from proving itself to the public. Women’s health advocates say making such big changes entirely internally makes a mockery of public engagement. Especially, they said, when they had heard enough from the frontline to conclude the national health screening unit would likely be disbanded.

They expect cancer and other screening to instead transfer into an immunisation and prevention unit.

Te Whatu Ora’s number one message was that “no patient-facing positions will be affected by these changes.”

Slater added the restructure will not impact on the delivery of the screening service received by the public in Nelson and Marlborough.

The formation of Te Whatu Ora on 1 July 2022 brought together 29 different entities under one Crown entity, including the 20 former DHBs, eight shared service entities and Manatu Hauora functions.

Te Whatu Ora employs the largest workforce in New Zealand with over 80,000 kaimahi working for the organisation

The gruelling non-stop multiday One NZ GODZONE pitches teams of four against each other as they navigate their own route across an unrelenting course that includes disciplines such as mountain biking, trekking, pack rafting, ropes and coasteering.

New World Blenheim sells ticket

One local is $14,496 better off after winning the second division Lotto ticket on King’s Birthday weekend.

Twenty-two lucky Lotto players started the long weekend on a high after each winning $14,496 with Lotto Second Division in tonight’s live Lotto draw.

One lucky player also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $35,949.

Te Whatu Ora’s Andrew Slater says while the consultation process was ongoing it was ‘inappropriate to speculate’ how many roles would be impacted.

Bringing Mere Home to screen NZIFF

By Chris Valli

Blenheim videographer and filmmaker Keelan Walker’s short film Br inging Mere Home has been selected to screen at the New Zealand International Film Festival. The film festival is held annually and this year will be starting in Auckland on Wednesday, July 19 - Sunday, August 6. Known in the industry as the ‘pinnacle of film festivals’, previous recipients include director Taika Waititi who has gone on to receive Academy, Bafta and Grammy awards.

Shot in Marlborough last year, the short story is set in a small New Zealand community during the 1980s. The protagonist, Billy (played by Frederick Pokai), is driving home from one of his regular Sunday pub sessions when he comes across a mysterious young girl named Mere (played by Isis Bradley-Kiwi), stranded on the side of the road.

Sensing that something is amiss, Billy stops to offer Mere a ride home. Little does he know that his decision to help her will lead to a dramatic turn of events.

Keelan started his filmmaking journey in 2014. Of Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne, Ngāti Apa, Ngati Koata and Ngai Tahu descent, his first

foray into filmmaking was for the Tōtaranui 250 Trust as a photographer and videographer in the build up to Tuia 250 (commemorating 250 years in 2019 since the first onshore meetings between Māori – and Pākehā in 1769–70. Tuia 250 also celebrated the voyaging heritage of Pacific people that led to the settlement of Aotearoa New Zealand many generations before).

The idea for Bringing Mere Home originated when, as an 11-year old, he would bike up with his friends to the rubbish dump (where the refuse centre currently is) searching for ‘taonga’ (treasure).

“One year I found a 45 record player which had a stack of records with it,” he says. “There was a record I took back to my Grandads, we would play it and turn the lights off because it was spooky, a country and western number by Red Sovine called Bringing Mary Home.”

“The story of the film is the same story in the song but we customised it to a small New Zealand rural setting.”

Keelan reflects as a filmmaker it’s always handy to bank small ideas which could come to fruition.

Bringing Mere Home is a good example of this.

“About four weeks out from the Top of the South Film Festival, I

said to Tyler (Redmond) let’s enter something. I’ve got an idea of an old song when I was a kid. We rang Fred Pokai, a friend of ours in Wellington and said, what you think of this? Five hours later he had the basics of a script.”

Keelan recalls going along with his father to the Grovetown pub on a Sunday which was ‘often cranking’ and provided the context

and stimuli for the narrative.

“Driving home back then wasn’t a big deal. I thought if you’re going to have a good storyline you need a good message,” he says. “The statistics at the end of the film are quite shocking with regards to drunk driving or speeding.” He says the selection of the film is undoubtedly a ‘career move’. However he admits he has to take small

Skip the Chemicals: Judy Bailey’s Favourite Joint Cream

KORU

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Judy loves walking the dog, playing with her grandchildren, and tramping in the Coromandel.

When she heard about a natural New Zealand joint cream, her curiosity was piqued but her journalistic instinct also instilled a sense of skepticism.

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Koru FX Pro is a blend full of natural essential oils and native ingredients like manuka oil, eucalyptus, and extracts of arnica.

Being a journalist, Judy is naturally cautious when it comes to new products: “I’m always a bit skeptical about these things… I thought, ‘Oh, yes, another

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In order to gain a deeper understanding of Koru FX Pro, Judy was invited to Koru Nutrition’s facility to witness the production process. She expressed her astonishment, saying, “I was surprised by how much of these top-quality essential oils go into these products. I was expecting a few drops, but that’s why it works – because it’s full of really top-

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steps before other opportunities further afield.

“The benefit of being a videographer allows me to hone my craft on a daily basis,” he says.

“I provide services on a daily basis to people who need and create content. I’ve got ideas. The direction I want to head is making traditional films and stories in this region and that is my focus.”

Local actress Isis Bradley-Kiwi gives an amazing performance in locally produced film, Bringing Mere Home. The short film has been selected to screen at the New Zealand International Film Festival starting in Auckland next month.

Golding Girls inspired by lockdown

By Chris Valli

Four women. Four weeks. At Level Four. March 23, 2020 and a certain pandemic.

The Boathouse Theatre’s next play, Golding Girls, directed by Bridget McNamara is a light-hearted look at life in lockdown written by Taranaki playwright Shona Wilson.

The play follows four women who unexpectedly find themselves thrown together for a snap Level Four lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. A laughout-loud ride of disharmony, hormonal issues and hilarity ensues; complete with masks, a DIY Christmas tree, a lot of pyjamas, and everyone’s lockdown favourite — new hobbies.

Bridget says the appeal of a comedy set during a lockdown of the pandemic presented the chance to reflect on recent history, and it is also a comedy enjoying the ups and downs of womanhood.

The cast is a combination of very experienced thespians with Deborah Cox, Margaret Pringle and Abi Balasoglou while newcomer to the Boathouse stage is Juanita Smart.

“Deb and Margaret are fabulous comedic actresses, well

known for that to Marlborough audiences. Abi has built a wonderful character for Hannah, she makes the dramatic parts real but also has excellent comedic timing,” says Bridget. “Juanita has been involved in theatre for a long time, but not on stage. She is showing herself to be a skilled actress.”

With a script which reflects on the new territory that was a pandemic and information overload in March 2020, what does Bridget remember about the Level 4 lockdown?

“My husband and I were overseas in March 2020, we had to cut our trip short and fly back urgently from the States before flights were cancelled. We were watching Trump in the States doing the daily press conferences, we were there in Chicago when overnight all restaurants and bars were shut down by the Governor, and we flew home two days before the first lockdown was announced. It was a dramatic time, full of uncertainty but also full of the best of humanity too in many ways.”

Bridget says the play will resonate as the central theme focuses on relationships and how ‘we’ feel about ourselves affects how we relate to others.

“Just because we don’t see eye to eye, doesn’t mean we can’t ultimately find common ground and get along. It’s a play about the seasons of life, and it is a play about fun and humour. It’s a lovely thing to sit in an audience

and all laugh together.”

Golding Girls is on at the Boathouse Theatre from Wednesday, June 14 - Saturday, June 24 with a matinee on Sunday, June 18. Tickets are available at the ASB Theatre.

Marlborough District Council has been successful in its bid to gain further central Government funding to help repair its stormdamaged roads. Two heavy rain events in July 2021 and August 2022 caused extensive damage across its network running into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Last week the Waka Kotahi board agreed to fund 95 per cent of $52.39M, or $49.77M. The Council would provide the remaining five per cent, or $2.62M.

“This is fantastic news and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this outcome,” Mayor Nadine Taylor said.

“Thanks in particular to Waka Kotahi for agreeing to the financial assistance rate (FAR) of 95%. I understand and appreciate the Government is under significant pressure and facing funding requests from North Island regions for the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery and rebuild.”

The cast of Golding Girls from left: Juanita Smart, Margaret Pringle and Abi Balasoglou. Back: Director Bridget McNamara and Deb Cox.

Marlborough secures road recovery funding

to the editor

The editor reserves the right to

SPCA and Marlborough Four Paws are pleading for help because they are running out of funds and overflowing with cats and kittens. They want councils and the central government to help. SPCA is offering cats/kittens at half price. This will only increase their problems as those that accept this offer will find that cat food is expensive and not half price.

My suggestion is only desex when the cats have been adopted. All cats that have been with these organisations for more than a month will be euthanized.

Four Paws trap and release stray cats but being desexed and fed doesn’t stop these cats from catching birds, especially fledglings, and playing with them until dead, but not eating them.

These organisations need to get the central government to make it compulsory to register all cats and kittens, same rules and cost as dogs. Desex and microchip, $62, otherwise, $92.

Colin Geertson Easthaven Place Blenheim

The advertisement (May 31) warns of an imminent 1080 poison drop on publicly owned Molesworth Station and part of privately owned Muller Station.

As a pest operator I hunted possums on Muller Station, contracted by the Marlborough District Council. The nature of the country, makes it ideal to hunt possums and ground poison which I did using pindone. Numbers were reduced to very low levels.

Dropping 1080 poison is expensive and everything that ingests it dies. Originally developed as an insecticide, it kills invertebrates vital to the natural ecosystem. Applying deer repellent is questionable as it simply doesn’t work effectively.

My understanding is that OSPRI monitors stock herds with the skin test. This is highly questionable as the skin test is about 25-30% error prone. So a TB infected animal passed falsely as “uninfected” remains in the herd, likely to infect other stock. There are far more accurate tests, such as the blood test.

In 2016 the government told Parliament, 9830 possums were autopsied for TB. Not one had TB. While it is quite acceptable to try and protect farmer’s income, 1080 poison is not the way to do it.

Laurie Collins Westport

Can I say as a past road transport signal engineer, whilst there is nothing wrong with dual, triple or even quadruple signage, as seen in many Asian countries, the country’s major language should take precedence over any minor language, either within that country or an overseas one. To not do so will cause unnecessary confusion and can lead to accidents.

For instance, the Māori name for school is Kura, yet by putting it first, on the sign, suggests the name of the school ahead is Kura. It must also be remembered that NZ has around four million overseas visitors a year, the majority of which will be English language speakers, whilst for the others, English will be their second language, so it is easy to see how putting Māori first will cause

confusion. We already fail to use international road signage, such as a solid yellow stop line instead of a white one, and a solid white line for give way instead of a dotted white one. It must also be remembered, that by Māori’s own reckoning, less than 100,000 people converse daily in Te Reo.

Chris Davies

Past traffic signal engineer

Trudy - grateful - it’s been a privilege

There’s a perception from the misinformed or non-yoga critics that the 5000 year discipline from India is for those who are aligned with a close-knit group of a community who are familiar with vernacular such as ‘core’ and ‘downward dog’ as Labour is with cost of living and inflation.

Let me tell you, this writer had that same perception with all things dog and Lycra clad when I encountered the Spring Creek community hall and ‘The Yoga Room’ recently. The hall is a wee haven and gem in the Blenheim wellbeing landscape. There is no ‘should’ in the class. The beauty of yoga is that ‘we are all individuals’ and indeed there is no ‘one size fits all.’Phew!

nity. Picton, Rarangi, Grovetown and on first impressions, is a welcoming, friendly, tranquil environment and is open to all.

The regular classes of 12-15 people, suit ‘students’ of all ages, levels and abilities. No need to touch your toes, if you can’t, Trudy reiterates.

Trudy says her joy and passion is connecting with people from all walks of life - supporting and encouraging their own personal yoga journey in the most nurturing way possible.

Nurturing and encouraging are apt words as she peruses the class with a watchful eye to make sure they all feel safe and within their own physical limits.

“It has to come from the heart,” she says, when asked what makes an effective yoga teacher. “I have a personal relationship with everyone that walks through my door and I know all their names. They mean something to me. The personal journey with each student is not a mechanical one, I know the abilities of every person and how far to encourage them. All of that has to come into the teaching.”

Cue (nearly) 70-years young Trudy Hennessy.

A registered yoga teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance (sounds like something from a Star Wars anthology) who teaches a combination of Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga styles - there goes that vernacular again - blending safe alignment with flowing sequences while specialising in back care.

Bend your knees, not your back. I’ve heard that somewhere before.

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means “union” or “to join” and can be traced back to northern India over 5,000 years ago. History states Indian monks spread their knowledge of yoga in the West during the late 1890s with modern yoga teachings becoming widely popular in Western countries by the 1970s.

What started in the Spring Creek church hall with four people has grown into a wee holistic beehive. Trudy’s classes include people from all walks of the wider Marlborough commu-

Trudy says Covid meant her yoga classes and planning had to be flexible with ‘reconnecting’ and ‘grounding’ by simply breathing. She says reading a person on any given day is vital and having the ability to adapt based on their respective ‘current wellbeing’.

“The feedback I get is that people are attracted to the classes because of my life experiences and yoga knowledge,” she says. “Training in India with the greatest, Iyengar (founder and style of yoga, considered the guru) and learning with him was life changing. I look back with such gratitude.”

She reflects there has been numerous funny or light-hearted moments in class and infers that ‘farting is allowed’ adding ‘they get permission from me’. Bless.

Her own yoga journey began over 30 years in Christchurch with the well-respected Iyengar Yoga teacher Wendy Brown. At the time, Trudy was challenged with ‘back issues’ which later led to spinal surgery. She is adamant the holistic

benefits of yoga have been life-changing and says she is passionate about sharing the gift of yoga with everyone.

Having said that, ironically Trudy says there is never a day when she comes to the mat and thinks that she ‘is good enough’. She confesses she doesn’t do it for the money and ‘charging’ $13 per class (she whispers this) as opposed to higher rates in ‘other yoga classes’ reflects the ‘heart’ behind the discipline and business. “Yoga should be attainable for everybody,” she says. “If anybody turned up to my door and didn’t have money they are welcome.”

“I am immensely grateful for the support and encouragement of many Yoga teachers both in New Zealand and around the world including BKS Iyengar (India), Nicky Knoff and James Byron (Australia). These teachers have supported me in my own practice with their knowledge and wisdom, and have greatly influenced my teaching.”

The savasana was a personal favourite

(meaning corpse) where one is in the lie down, relaxation pose and typically practised at the end of a yoga class - why aren’t more people doing this in the office environment?

Trudy has four weeks left in the role. Her house is sold and will be leaving Blenheim to be closer to her family on the Gold Coast in Australia.

So what’s been the best part of the past 16 years?

“I’ve had the privilege of sharing something so amazing with people. It’s never felt a burden or a chore. Do you know what it’s going to feel for me, I said to one of classes recently? Getting up every morning and my purpose is gone.”

And yet, there is and will be a new-found purpose for Trudy.

“I can’t wait to see my three grandchildren over there. Taking care and cooking for the family. Being the best Mum I can be.” Namaste.

Spring Creek yoga teacher Trudy Hennessey believes it’s been her responsibility over the past 16 years to empower people to take care of their own wellbeing. Chris Valli joined her class and discovered the influence and legacy she will leave behind.

“Yoga should be attainable for everybody”

Trudy says her time on the mat has been a joy over the years and looks forward to the future.

Marlborough secures road recovery funding Take care on shared paths

Marlborough District Council has been successful in its bid to gain further central Government funding to help repair its stormdamaged roads. Two heavy rain events in July 2021 and August 2022 caused extensive damage across its network running into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Last week the Waka Kotahi board agreed to fund 95 per cent of $52.39M, or $49.77M. The Council would provide the remaining five per cent, or $2.62M.

“This is fantastic news and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this outcome,” Mayor Nadine Taylor said.

“Thanks in particular to Waka Kotahi for agreeing to the financial assistance rate (FAR) of 95%. I understand and appreciate the Government is under significant pressure and facing funding requests from North Island regions for the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery and rebuild.”

The new funding enables Awatere Valley, Northbank and Waihopai Valley road repairs to be completed, as well as a one-year extension of barge and water taxi subsidies

in the Marlborough Sounds. The new money also includes funding for design for repairing high priority sites on Queen Charlotte Drive, and costs for some repairs in the Sounds that are necessary to maintain access, prior to the outcome of the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study.

“This is great news for our communities. There is however some way to go with the next round of public engagement Council is conducting on the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study coming up at the end of this month, when we will be seeking public feedback on the ‘emerging preferred option’ for each of the five damaged areas in the Sounds.”

For further information on the Study and the drop-in and online meetings taking place from 20 to 28 June, go to: www. marlborough.govt.nz/services/roads-andtransport/marlborough-sounds-futureaccess-study/2023-public-consultationmsfas

Previous funding allocations of $85.3M and $3.45M were provided at a 95% FAR by Waka Kotahi, bringing Marlborough’s total storm recovery funding to date to $141.14M.

With more users on shared pathways in Marlborough, it’s timely to remind people of etiquette to ensure a good experience for everyone, Road Safety Co-ordinator Robyn Blackburn said.

“The Taylor River is a good example of a shared pathway regularly used by cyclists, pedestrians, dog walkers and others,” she said. “Etiquette boards along the river explain the rules – keep left, move off the path when stopped and if on a bike, warn others when approaching.”

Shared paths such as the Taylor River pathway and the Marina to Marina Track are designed for slower and more relaxed travel. While there are no speed limits in place, it is not safe for cyclists or those on mobility scooters or e scooters to ride quickly.

“If you’re riding an e-bike you should be in a low power setting at a speed that doesn’t put other users at risk. All cyclists must warn slower users they are approaching from behind to avoid startling them and help to make everyone feel comfortable. Where possible ride on the left and pass on your right,” Robyn said.

Shared paths on reserves such as the Wither Hills and Victoria Domain require the same etiquette although where possible, tracks

have been separated to allow for more enjoyment.

The Wither Hills has many specific biking and walking tracks and users should stay in the area designated for their activity.

“If you happen to find yourself riding a bike on a walking path, dismount and walk,” Robyn said. “Likewise, if you find yourself walking or running on a cycle track move off as cyclists will not expect pedestrians and could be travelling at speed.”

Such situations put users at risk and any incidents should be reported to Council through its crash/near miss reporting system - www.marlborough.govt.nz/recreation/ cycling-and-walking/cycling/report-a-crashor-near-miss

Sevenoaks farm embraces biodiversity

Hawkesbury farmers Cath and Paul Baker hosted a large gathering at their Sevenoaks farm field day last Thursday and told those gathered they embrace biodiversity.

The farm won the farming section of the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards this year.

Sheep, beef, seed crops and grapes are grown alongside wetland and biodiversity projects with tourism activity as well. Sevenoaks previously ran a summer “maize maze” but now is taking advantage of the dark skies with a crater observatory.

Cath Baker told visitors she was a sixth generation Goulter – her great, great, great grandfather Cyrus Goulter bought the original 3000-hectare Hawkesbury block in 1848. Cath and Paul run the much smaller block today as a mixed unit focussing on diversity with sheep and beef, red clover seed, wheat, black oats and grapes. In the past the land has been used for horse breeding and dairying.

The Bakers use their extensive knowledge of farm conditions to maximise productivity over a wide range of land uses while maintaining a low environmental footprint and enhancing biodiversity.

Committed to protecting the soil structure the couple have learnt from previous mistakes and now only apply fertiliser when necessary and only work paddocks at critical times. Similarly, they only drench animals when they see a problem.

Sevenoaks has two QE11 covenants, a significant wetland and two streams which they are slowly restoring through fencing, weed control and native planting.

In 2016 they planted a nine-hectare sauvignon blanc vineyard which “pays the bills,” Paul said.

The vineyard is treated as a crop and the couple enjoy the viticulture aspect as part of an overall mixed unit. “It adds value to the rest of the farm,” Cath said.

Culvert replacement on Kenepuru Road

Sevenoaks farm owners Paul and Cath Baker (centre) speak at last week’s field day watched by vice president of Marlborough Federated Farmers Chris Dawkins.

Rock revetment repairs at Limestone in the Awatere Valley

Pay offer ‘inadequate’

By Chris Valli

Marlborough teachers will resume strike action after the union advised its members to reject the latest ‘inadequate’ government pay offer.

The ministry made revised offers to primary, area and secondary school teachers last week which the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) and the Educational Institute shared with their members.

The offers included identical pay deals - a lump sum payment of $4500 and three pay rises totalling between 11 percent and more than 16 percent by the end of next year.

Unlike the previous three-year offers, the new offers had a two-year term and provided the first pay rises in June and July rather than backdating them to December 2022.

The unions told their members the changes had allowed the ministry to “front-load” the offer to provide bigger pay rises and lumpsum payments at the start of the agreement.

The Educational Institute said the lump sum payment was about $2500 more than most teachers would have got from backdating the first pay rise to December last year. Non-union members would get $3000.

The union told its members it would not make any recommendations about how to

vote, but the PPTA told its members they should reject the offers.

“While there have been some improvements in these offers, in particular equity of non-contact for part-time teachers (from start of 2025) and a salary step increase for relievers (from the start of 2024), the pay rate on offer for the top step has not shifted,” the PPTA told its members.

“These offers are not good enough to justify an ongoing pause on industrial action. This action includes the relief ban, refusal to attend meetings outside regular school hours and rostering home.”

The offers included a pay rise of $4000 or

Renwick Film Festival on again

By Chris Valli

The Renwick Winter Film Festival will run again over three weeks this month.

Every Thursday evening a series of short films plus a feature will screen in the Renwick Church Hall on High Street.

Veteran filmmaker Paul Davidson has curated the festival, which he says will be of much interest and enjoyment for Marlborough audiences.

“Every film is either about Marlborough, or is made by Marlborough filmmakers” says Paul. “I can g u arantee an entertaining couple of hours every Thursday evening

throughout June.”

The Festival kicks off of June 15 with the 40th anniversary screening of the classic Marlborough comedy, Carry Me Back. Three Seddon farmers head to the Capital in support of t he Red Devil’s shield challenge and things don’t go as planned. The film’s producer, Graeme Cowley, has given permission for this special screening and will be in attendance to introduce his film and explain the background.

Renwick Anglican vicar Joe Keighley is looking forward to the festival, the proceeds from which go to fund various community activities and the work of the Christian

six percent, whichever was higher, in June or July, a further three percent increase in July next year and between 1.8 and 6.5 percent in December next year.

The unions said the end result would put the top-of-the-scale pay rate at $100,000 by the end of 2024 - the same rate as previous offers.

The new offers would shift the starting rate for new teachers to at least $60,735 for primary teachers and $63,187 for secondary teachers.

They included a $710 payment for union members only to cover the cost of Teaching Council fees.

Missionary Society.

“It’s good to see our church being used for community events all week and not just a Sunday thing” says Joe. He says audiences can look forward to a warm cosy hall, a cheery cuppa and an evening’s entertainment.

“Just the thing to brighten up a dark winter’s night”.

The Festival starts at 7pm on Thursday June 15 and on the following two Thursdays. Door sales on ly, just $10 cash each evening, including refreshments.

Further Information: Paul Davidson, 021 950 600. Rev Joe Keighley 020 456 3000

Budget offers little for older people

By Chris Valli

As winter and the cost of living increases, Grey Power Marlborough is disappointed last month’s Budget offers little for Marlborough’s aging population.

The removal of the $5 prescription co-payment was the centrepiece of spending on health in the recent Budget.

Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says it would ease household budgets while relieving pressures on hospitals. About 135,000 adults did not collect their prescriptions because of cost in 2021-22, Verrall says.

Grey Power Marlborough President Gayle Chambers says their seniors are pleased that the $5 fee on each of their medications will cease.

“For some of our seniors with many medical conditions the cost of collecting prescriptions was sometimes crippling to their already limited income,” she says.

However, one of the main concerns from their members is the ever rising cost of groceries, especially vegetables and fruit. She says many are now purchasing frozen vegetables while fruit is a luxury for those on a limited income.

“For those seniors who need to visit their doctor on a regular basis to get a new prescription they either have to ensure they book well in advance or they may not get an appointment when needed or end up seeing another doctor.”

“For some this is very stressful and does not help their overall health,” she says.

Meanwhile, Grey Power Federation president Jan Pentecost said she was disappointed not to find specific mention of older people and that the actual value of this budget remains to be seen because it will be ‘the details that will disclose the actual benefits or not’.

“This budget appears to have forgotten

or chosen to exclude some of the most vulnerable in our society, those of our older people living in poverty even though the UN expert on the human rights of older people in her 2020 assessment stated the basic New Zealand pension was very close to the poverty threshold with 60 percent of singles and 40 percent of couples with little or no additional income apart from their pension.

Jan says the Government adjusted superannuation in April was the annual catch-up, not an increase.

“For numerous people national superannuation is all they have to meet the current rising rents and other cost-of-living crises. Many of these people worked hard in their younger years and to leave them behind now in their declining years is outrageous.

“It is a sad tragedy that seniors in their twilight years had been overlooked when it would have been relatively simple and cost-effective to ensure they lived the latter part of their lives in dignity. This was not a budget where we could say older people matter too.”

Pharmacy Guild chief executive Andrew Gaudin says waving the $5 fee would make a ‘huge difference’ to some patients who could not afford the fees and ‘had to make difficult choices when they are sick.’

The policy, costing $618 million over four years, was based on a University of Otago study that showed lower-income households who received free prescriptions were less likely to be hospitalised and spent fewer days in hospital than similar families who paid a fee.

Grey Power Marlborough is a non-profit society dedicated to advocating for the welfare, interests, and concerns of citizens in the 50+ age group. Membership with Grey Power Marlborough is open to all citizens/ residents living in the region.

Kadodo Music from Western Ghana led African dancing and drumming workshops at Marlborough Girls College earlier this term. Students learnt different rhythms and dancing routines from Africa. A group of students performed with Kadodo at MySpace during a Multicultural Concert. Photo: Joanne Desforges.

International wine event in Blenheim

By Chris Valli

A trade event designed to showcase all things viticulture will be held in Blenheim next June.

The highly anticipated New Zealand WinePRO trade event will be held in Marlborough from 25 to 27 June, 2024.

With the tagline ‘Vine to Wine’, WinePRO will showcase the latest products, new technology, and connect the leading suppliers with members of the wine production industry.

The event will provide an opportunity for the wine industry to come together and learn about the latest trends, network and discover new ways to grow their businesses and improve efficiencies and production, with an exhibition showcasing the latest and greatest.

The event has been a vision of the Marlborough District Council and Wine Marlborough, recognising the importance of wine to not only the region but nationally - and the need to have a biennial event to bring the industry together across New

Zealand and the world.

The venue will be at Stadium 2000, combining indoor and outdoor display spaces and featuring an educational program as part of the overall event.

The organisers of the Winetech Exhibition in Australia have collaborated in establishing the framework and are working with a local New Zealand-based team to deliver the inaugural event.

Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor says this event is an opportunity for Marlborough to celebrate New

Zealand’s international reputation as a wine producer, as well as cement Marlborough’s place as a hub of technology and innovation.

“With our region accounting for over three-quarters of New Zealand’s wine production, Marlborough is the perfect place to host this fantastic new event,” she says.

WinePRO will feature a variety of exhibitors, including leading suppliers of wine production equipment, v i neyard management tools and other industry-related products.

The event will also feature a ded-

Has the Law Society lost the room?

By Stuart Smith MP for Kaikoura

Professional bodies have a crucial role in establishing standards of conduct and protecting the reputation of their respective professions. It is expected that their directives remain apolitical and do not infringe upon the freedom of their members to hold their own political views.

However, the recent proposal by an independent panel appointed by the New Zealand Law Society to introduce a new regulator of the profession which would have a statutory duty to give effect to the “principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi” is a highly controversial and politically motivated move. It appears to be driven by the influence of woke socialists who seek

to advance their own agenda rather than prioritize the best interests of the people they serve.

Interestingly, this proposal seems to have emerged from an investigation into unrelated issues surrounding sexual misconduct within the legal profession. Despite the fact that a significant majority of surveyed lawyers oppose incorporating Treaty principles into the regulatory str ucture, the Law Society review panel is undeterred. The opposition is well-founded, as the Treaty itself does not contain any specific “principles,” and the evolving nature of these principles makes it challenging for lawyers to navigate without risking breaching the Law Society’s rules.

The inclusion of an author of He

Relax your body

Puapua, a controversial report, on the panel is not surprising, as it aligns with the underlying motivations driving this proposal. It raises concerns about the ideological biases at play and the potential influence they may have on the final recommendations.

The Treaty has become a vessel that can be filled with a wish list of rights and opportunities which begs the question, of whose interpretation of the Treaty will be used. Will lawyers have the courage to resist this woke agenda and save the integrity of the profession? It is not difficult to imagine that the ambitious and naive may see conforming to these demands as the path to a successful legal career. It is essential for the legal community to stand

up against this divisive agenda or it will lose public confidence in the profession.

Infiltrating institutions and leveraging race-related issues in the current environment is a frighteningly easy path to take, as few are willing to risk being labelled as racist. It is crucial that we all oppose this agenda as those that hurl the racist label about are the racists. If we choose to look the other way New Zealand will be a racially divided nation which will undoubtedly bring on civil unrest. It is essential that we protect the integrity of professional bodies and ensure that their directives are rooted in impartiality, respect for individual freedoms, and the best interests of the profession and the wider public.

icated conference programme and workshops that will provide attendees with valuable insights into the latest trends and advancements in the industry.

Gary Fitz-Roy from Expertise Events, who will be organising the event says they are excited to be part of the project and look forward to delivering an event that unites the wine industry face-to-face in the biggest wine region of New Zealand Sun readers can contact Gary (garyf@expertiseevents.com.au) if you would like further information.

The legal profession is held in high regard, but allowing political agendas to infect their professional body not only risks the credibility and purpose of their professional body but will also ultimately undermine the standing of the profession.

was founded on one law for all, it seems that now we must fight to keep it.

Stuart Smith

The new Firearms Registry is coming

Register your firearms and help make New Zealand safer.

New Zealand will have a firearms registry from 24 June 2023. If you’re a firearms licence holder, you’ll be required to provide information about your firearms or arms items from this date.

The Registry will help us make New Zealand safer. It will give licence holders more confidence when buying or selling firearms, as the Registry will let you know if you’re

dealing with a current licence holder and if the firearm has been reported stolen.

The Registry is one of the ways we’re strengthening how we manage firearms in New Zealand. With responsible firearms licence holders doing the right thing and filling in the Registry, it will help keep track of legally owned firearms and help prevent their transfer to those who use them for criminal purposes.

You have 5 years until 24 June 2028 to register your firearms. However there are some circumstances where you are required to provide information for the Registry in a shorter time frame. These are referred to in the Arms Amendment Regulations as ‘activating circumstances’. It’s up to you to keep your information up to date. You can find information on these timeframes at: firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/registry

Examples of activating circumstances

Selling, hiring, purchasing or receiving a firearm

What needs to be registered

Non-prohibited firearms including Specially Dangerous Airguns (PCPs)

Restricted weapons

Pistols

Registry goes live on 24 June 2023

You can register your firearms or arms items on our website at any time. Just click on MyFirearms, the private and secure portal that houses the Registry. Otherwise our Registry and Services team will be available by phone to help during business hours.

Scan QRcode for more information

Importing, exporting or manufacturing a firearm or ammunition

If you’re subject to any compliance or enforcement action under the Arms Act

There will be no charge for registering your firearms.

Details needed to register your firearms

• Type (rifle, shotgun etc)

• Make

• Model

Prohibited firearms and magazines

Major parts Pistol carbine conversion kits

• Action

• Calibre/gauge

• If it has a non-detachable magazine (and, if so, its capacity)

• Identifying marking (serial number)

• A photograph of the firearm (if requested)

From the President’s Desk

I would like, firstly, to welcome all our new and returning members to Grey Power Marlborough. I hope you have had the time to go through your discount book and get some deals out of it already. I got a discounted consultation from my optician the other day, so one down and many to go.

Not yet got round to renewing your membership? There is still time.

Thanks to all who took part in our recent survey. We have sent the findings to the Federation. The President was very grateful for the information and will be taking it to the relevant ministers.

We had our quarterly meeting with the Mayor this month. She is very interested in our concerns and opinions about our seniors and is very supportive, as always.

With winter now in full swing, please remember to keep yourself safe from influenza and COVID-19. Unfortunately, some of our frailer seniors have a lower immune system and these viruses can turn into bron

Office Snippets

If your membership of Grey Power Marlborough is overdue, it is not too late to pay. Please pay, or let us know that you wish to discontinue, as soon as possible. This assists us to manage our budget & expenditure, events etc.

Remember, if you are a Grey Power Electricity customer, you are required to keep your membership of Grey Power Marlborough, or

another Grey Power association, current to access the discounted electricity rates.

If you joined Grey Power Marlborough during January or February, and do not have a green Discount Book, please pick one up, or get in touch with the office.

The latest Discount Book is available to view on our website, greypowermarlborough. co.nz

There are a lot of text scams circulating re NZ Post, please see the NZ Post website for details: https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/ who-we-are/scams-and-fraud Remember that NZ Post do not use non-NZ telephone numbers. Also. is it likely that your mobile phone number will be written on the parcel? Most parcels will only have an address, not a telephone number.

Paying your Grey Power electricity bill

If you pay Grey Power Electricity online, please make sure to set up online banking with Grey Power Electricity: Go to your bank’s website, register with their internet banking service and select ‘Pulse Energy’ as a payee/biller. If your

bank does not have Pulse Energy set up as a bill payee, you will need these details to set this up:

Bank account name: Pulse Energy Alliance LP Bank account number: (BNZ) 02-0108-

0333798-029 If there is only space for a two-digit suffix, use 29

Reference: Use your Grey Power Electricity account number located top right of your power bill

Particulars: your initials and surname.

Help with Technology in Marlborough

Ever felt overwhelmed by a SMART phone, computer or laptop or such technology? Shona Winter, who runs Better Digital Futures for Seniors at REAP Marlborough understands and is available to provide individual help, without charge for local people.

Shona is used to helping people solve their computer technology problems and master the basics of device use like setting up and using Whatsapp (a social media application), texting and email, attaching photos etc. She

can assist with setting up and using online banking, surfing the internet and resolving basic phone issues. Her advice to reluctant learners is ‘just learn what you need to learn and take little steps; don’t try to learn everything at once.’ Take advantage of the free sources of help in the community. Shona can offer one or two individual sessions of one hour at a time, plus Marlborough Libraries provides a similar service with their ‘Book a Librarian’ service. Both options are free of charge but

Grandparents can help!

The Graham Dingle Foundation advises that the “Future of Work” youth conference has a family session on Wednesday 14th June from 5.00-7.00pm at the Marlborough Events Centre.

to bring down their children/grandchildren to find out about all the amazing career pathways available to them!

require bookings.

REAP also offers short computing courses that are friendly, affordable, welcoming and individualised (numbers are kept low for these reasons).

You can also pick up a Digital & Technology Support in Marlborough brochure from REAP, Citizens Advice Bureau, Grey Power or your local library, visit the REAP website - https://www.reapmarlborough. co.nz/digital-tech-support or ring REAP on 03 578 7848 for a chat.

A revolutionary new coding system, TrioCode 128 provides enhanced reliability and security by using three frequencies to overcome interference issues.

A revolutionary new coding system, TrioCode 128 provides enhanced reliability

Parents and grandparents are encouraged

Support our young people to make good decisions about what to do after college. See this video for a good summary

of details. www.facebook.com/graemedinglefoundationmarlborough/videos/638467848189860

Grandparents have so much wisdom to share – here’s a great way to get involved by coming down with the grandchildren!

Fire Facts

Our thanks to Lewis Jones, local Fire and Emergency New Zealand adviser, for all the following fire safety advice. Half of the people who died in fires were

careless with cigarettes, matches or lighters. Over half of all fire-related deaths occur in homes while people are sleeping. Alcohol is a contributing factor in many

Stay fire safe this winter

Modern furnishings and textiles mean that house fires are burning faster and hotter than ever. When a house is ablaze temperatures quickly reach 1100 degrees. Occupants have only 3 minutes to escape a house fire. Homes in the 1950’s took 10-15 minutes to reach fatal temperatures, but today it is only 3-5 minutes. Creating a 3-step plan to save your life

Smoke alarms

Early warning of a fire is directly related to surviving a fire, so working smoke alarms are key. It’s important to consider your hearing. Can you hear the alarm with your hearing aids removed at night? This is an important question.

It’s easy to run your own experiment. Remove your hearing aids. Stand behind a

and that of your whanau is quick and simple to do.

1. Have an initial plan for escaping your house

2. Have a second plan in case the first is not possible due to blocked exits or fire preventing your escape

3. Have a dedicated meeting place (often this can be the letterbox or a neighbour’s

50 +

fatal house fires. In 80% of house fires Fire and Emergency attend, smoke alarms were either not installed, or not working.

house)

You can create an escape plan by visiting wwwescapemyhouse.co.nz. The plan takes only a few minutes to create and is sent to your email for printing and displaying in a prominent place. It’s a great idea to have a practice run blindfolded, as this helps to understand how disorientating black smoke is.

Winter fire safety steps

During the cooler months New Zealand households are 29% more likely to have a fire. As the temperature drops the risk of fire increases with people using their heaters, electric blankets and fireplaces. Some simple steps to prevent or survive a fire:

• Keep a minimum distance of one metre from a heater and fireplaces. This includes drying clothes, warming yourself or having a heater too close to curtains or furnishings.

• Keep looking while you are cooking. One in four house fires start in the kitchen, typically from unattended cooking. Keep your kitchen and oven clean.

closed door, and get someone to activate a smoke alarm in another room. If you can’t hear it, it won’t alert you to a fire, so you are likely to qualify for a Hearing Assistive Technology alarm system (HAT). HAT systems have pillow shakers and strobe lights to alert you to fire. Funding is available to supply and install HAT systems. Call the

Fire safety hint for electric blankets

For those people getting their electric blankets out of the cupboard and onto their beds it is especially important to check for hotspots.

Lewis Jones recommends people put their electric blankets on high for 15 minutes, switch them off and then check for any hotspots.

At the first sight of a fire

• Do not attempt to put

out fast.

• If others are in the house shout - FIRE - FIRE - FIRE.

• If a fire is well underway – get on your hands and knees and crawl out of the house.

• Always keep your keys in the door

deadlocks.

• Go to a neighbour – get them to call 111.

• Never re-enter the house – ever!

• If you are unable to escape – close the door to the room you are in and put towels under it to prevent smoke entering. Go to the window and yell –FIRE

FIRE - FIRE

“How do I choose the best alarm for my situation?”

Let’s talk about your options;

· home based standard alarm with pendent

· fully mobile alarm with location capability

· fall detectors wrist alarms

· easy press alarms · shower proof

· two way voice interface through the pendent (can be anywhere with 4G coverage)

You may be eligible for government funding!

team via 0800NZFIRE, ph 0800693473, for an assessment.

Working smoke alarms save lives. Modern alarms have a 10 year battery life and are less susceptible to accidental activation. Consider up-dating your alarm if you suspect it may be the older style. If you are not sure, contact us and we will come and advise you.

If you do feel any hotspots or your electric blanket is over five years old, it is time to replace it.

• Don’t be an over-plugger. Overloaded power multi-plugs and power points can overheat and easily cause a fire.

• Be careful where you stash your ash. Disposal of fireplace or brazier ash is a common cause of fire, so store ash out of the wind, away from your house and in a metal container, preferably with a sealed lid.

• To avoid chimney fires, get your chimney cleaned now before each winter season. Your heater will burn more efficiently and use less wood.

• Tu rn your electric blanket off before bed.

The Fire Service is here to help. For a free Home Fire Safety Visit contact them by either calling 0800 NZFIRE (0800693473) or contact your local fire station to make an appointment. www.fireandemergency.nz has more detailed information to keep you safe from fire.

• Clean the lint from your dryer every cycle. Excess lint in the drier

AU CKLAND, WELL INGTON OR CHRIS TCHURCH DIRE CT TO CHATHAM ISLANDS

Life Education’s Theatre in Education – ‘Smashed’

By Chris Valli

Life Education Trust’s theatre-in-education programme

SMASHED will make an appearance at Queen Charlotte College and Marlborough Girls’ College this week.

The performance follows the lives of three young people showing how they become involved with alcohol and how it affects them. It educates year 9 and 10 students about the dangers of underage drinking with recent research showing a decline in the number of young people drinking.

John O’Connell, Life Education‘s Chief Executive says while the number of young people binge drinking in New Zealand has declined over recent years, it remains high compared to other countries.

“We’re encouraged by some of the recent research and commentary around young people choosing not to drink, and binge drinking habits, however it’s still a relevant issue and one we continue to need to address at a secondary school level.

“Our theatre-in-education performances are aimed at giving students an interactive

environment where they can talk and explore strategies for resisting peer influence and making informed choices,” says O’Connell.

“We’ve been showcasing this performance in schools for the last three years, and the feedback from teachers is they value a visual performance as it gives students a different form of learning, that both enhanced and supported school programmes,” says O’Connell.

The performance covers topics like the impact of underage drinking on relationships with peers and adults, academic results, anti-social behaviour and violence, and accident and injury.

SMASHED is not only a performance, but key to the session is also the interactive session during the performance with the actors, where they get students to talk and explore different ways to resist peer influence and make informed choices.

In 2022 NZ Council for Educational Research (NZCER) reviewed SMASHED benchmarking the programme against best practice. The report noted SMASHED was well-aligned with teachers’ health education

Life Education Trust's theatre in education programme SMASHED is not only a performance, but also includes an interactive session during the performance with the actors, where they get students to talk and explore different ways to resist peer influence and make informed choices. The programme will make an appearance at Queen Charlotte College on Thursday and Marlborough Girls’ College on Friday.

focuses, and that it helped reinforce key information, messages, and social competency strategies covered at school.

Students who attended SMASHED gained an increased awareness of how different forms

of alcohol-related harm might impact on them and their peers. Life Education Trust has been educating New Zealand children for over 33 years. Today, they are New Zealand’s largest health education provider in schools.

Woody Pig & Deer Hunt!

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR AWESOME HELPERS: Blue Blick, Stovie (Mike Stove), Ian Stuart, Nels Conney, Missy & Vaeh Cairns, Turbo (aka Ollie Taylor), Renwick Volunteer Fire Brigade, Chris Hammond for the use of DINKY, Bruce & Sue Jolly and David Marsh (Davie).

Keep calm and carry yarn

By Chris Valli

The wonderful knitters of Marlborough have come together once again to spin a yarn.

Children in war-torn Ukraine will have some winter woollies from Marlborough to keep warm this winter. The group of volunteers are part of a wider network of volunteers across the country which knits clothes and blankets for orphans in Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Moldova.

Operation Cover Up relies on donations. Hundreds of community volunteers come together to make a little bit of difference - the ladies at Redwoodtown are no exception.

Winter in Eastern Europe can get as low as -25 degrees celsius and many children and families have little to help them face the harsh cold.

Knitting items such as jerseys, cardigans, socks, gloves and scarves are all needed for the 2023 shipment while non-knitted items such as clothes and shoes for children aged between four - 15-years old are also required.

Shipping per container was about $16,000, which was funded by Mission Without Borders donations, but Operation Cover Up relied on its own donations to provide wool to local knitters.

Mission Without Borders director Andrew Wilks says through Operation Cover Up, children, families, homeless and elderly recipients learnt that people on the other side of the world cared about their struggle to survive and wanted to ease their suffering.

“It is putting loving concern into action.”

The Redwoodtown knitting display will be at the St Christopher’s Hall, June 17 from 10am - 2pm.

Co-ordinator Carol Taylor asks anyone wishing to donate items (must be brand new) to drop off to St Christopher’s on Friday, June 16 from 10am - 2pm.

If any Sun readers would be able to offer the group a trailer for a few hours on the Saturday morning, please contact Carol on 021 399 649.

Operation Cover Up was founded by Taupō woman Liz Clark 23 years ago, with Liz writing a book, The Warmth of Love, about her experiences with Operation Cover Up.

GMW’s Clean for a Can

By Chris Valli

GMW Jewellery specialises in handcrafting exquisite and distinct jewellery of the highest quality.

They also specialise in being animal lovers.

The Redwoodtown business has come up with a solution to assist the team at Marlborough Four Paws after spending 10’s of thousands de-sexing and re-homing cats with ‘Can for a Clean’ initiative.

Owner Gina Botham says they wanted to come up with a way to help the team at MFP.

“People bring in their jewellery and some cat or dog food and we clean the jewellery in exchange for the food,” says Gina. “I have always loved animals. I currently have two dogs and three cats - the cats are all rescues.”

Gina says customers have loved the idea and have gone out of their way to assist and help out.

“We have so many wonderful customers who are so generous. One lady came in

CANTASTIC: GMW Jewellery is running the initative till the end of June.

this morning with two rings to be cleaned and six tins of cat food.”

Gina says just before lockdown in 2020 her family decided to foster a Marlborough Four Paws cat. She says at the time Michelle from

Four Paws knew that it was a ‘one-way ticket’ because three years on Gina and her family still have their gorgeous Pixi.

The fundraiser will run from Tuesday June 6 until Friday June 30.

Having spent the last 34 years building relationships with communities across Marlborough, you can put Steve at the top of your list when considering a move!

If you are looking for a salesperson with integrity, dedication, and knowledge to meet your needs, then give Steve a call.

Steve Crockett

Licenced under the REAA 2008 Rural, Lifestyle, Residential Sales Consultant

M 021 066 0397

E steve.crockett@pggwrightson.co.nz

Only for the month of June!

91 Weld St, Redwoodtown (right next to Bikes and Scooters)

OPERATION COVER UP: Knitting garments for orphans in Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Moldova are members of the Redwoodtown knitting group.

Feds launch nine-stop RMA rural roadshow

Federated Farmers has announced a nine-stop rural roadshow opposing the Government’s proposed replacement of the Resource Management Act.

“We all want to see reform of the RMA, but it needs to be done right to address the issues of cost and complexity that farmers face every time they want to do something productive with their land,” says Federated Farmers RMA reform spokesperson Mark Hooper.

“The current legislation just ties farmers up in red tape, slows us down, and heaps on unnecessary costs - but the Government’s proposed

reforms will only make that worse. It’s an absolute nightmare for farmers.

“Federated Farmers strongly oppose the current reforms because they will shift land use planning away from democratically elected councils towards ‘Regional Planning Committees’, which will be at arm’s length from their local community,” Hooper said.

“We also have real concerns that the reforms will introduce new, vague and undefined concepts that will create huge uncertainty for landowners and likely lead to time and money wasted with legal challenges through the courts.”

The Government shouldn’t be looking to rush this critical piece of legislation through before the election. “They need to slow down and take their time. This is too important for them to get it wrong.

“Any farmer worth their salt would tell them that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. The current reforms are fatally flawed, and they need to go back to the drawing board.

The roadshow kicked off in Ashburton on Tuesday May 30 before continuing on to Alexandra, Gore, Invercargill, Masterton, Palmerston North, Whanganui, New Plymouth and Te Awamutu.

Roots Shoots & Fruits

With exceptional challenges for winegrowers across the country, Roots Shoots & Fruits’ valuable understanding of biological organisms and humic compounds for vine resilience and longevity is meaningful.

Whilst Mycorrhizal fungi create polyphenols for colour and flavour, in the vineyard, they provide long term protection for vine health, enhance fertility, water retention, and optimise nutrition. Mycorrhizal fungi are major environmentalists producing Glycoproteins that stabilise and add structure to soil, whilst acting as sinks, holding atmospheric carbon dioxide. Adding diversity of

Turn stones into soil!

bacterial and fungal species, creates positive soils teaming with benefits.

Incorporating Humic and Fulvic acids will impact yield. With their unique ability to hold seven times their volume in water, they become indispensable amidst erratic weather patterns. Humic substances bolster soil structure, stabilise temperature fluctuations, and facilitate nutrient uptake due to improved CEC reducing fertiliser loss. Avoid disappointment, speak to Roots Shoots & Fruits about these natural, safe, organic products to support the growth and sustainability of your vineyard.

Feds Principal Advisor Water and Environment, Paul Melville, left, and national board member Mark Hooper, on their way to speak to the Environment Select Committee in March. Federated Farmers has announced a nine-stop rural roadshow opposing the Government’s proposed replacement of the Resource Management Act.

Flaxbourne Irrigation scheme receives grant

By Chris Valli

The Flaxbourne-Waima Community Irrigation Scheme is the r e cipient of the 2022 Westpac Watercare Project grant.

NZ Landcare Trust and Westpac NZ are awarding six grants of $10,000 every year through the Westpac Watercare Project, to support sustainable initiatives for rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands. The first six grants were handed out in late 2022.

The scheme which has been under development since 2008 was originally governed by a voluntary group of directors for the benefit of the Flaxbourne community.

The scheme sources water from the Waima (Ure) River and transfers it to the Flaxbourne area and distributes it to participating landowners. The focus has been on i mp roving severe lake erosion and encouraging native wildlife to return through native planting and a pest control programme.

Over a decade of planning and hard work has gone into the scheme, at significant cost and some risk

to those who signed up at the beginning.

NZ Landcare Trust CEO Dr Nick Edgar says the funding can be used by local groups on a range of practical initiatives such as pest control, water quality monitoring and native planting.

“Many of New Zealand’s waterways are in poor condition and r e cent extreme weather events have compounded the situation. Our catchment groups are doing a remarkable job around the country in increasing biodiversity and improving water quality, but funding is always an issue,” Dr Edgar says.

“The Westpac Watercare Project grants give catchment groups the opportunity to put their water quality goals into action and help to future proof their catchments against severe weather events.”

Westpac NZ Head of Agribusiness Tim Henshaw says the funding f rom the 2022 grants is already helping deliver results for catchment groups around the country.

“What we love about partnering with NZ Landcare Trust is working together to get money straight

to where it needs to go - from helping restore whio (blue duck) populations on East Coast rivers, to preserving precious inanga (whitebait) habitats in Northland, to creating shared community spaces in rural Southland,” Mr Henshaw says.

“As well as providing the grants, Westpac staff is out in the community getting their hands dirty with other committed locals on these projects. It’s a real team effort to build healthier waterways and communities for the benefit of everyone.”

The six recipients of 2022 Westpac Watercare Project grants were: Piroa Conservation Trust, Northland: Improving biodiversity t h rough riparian planting, weed and pest animal control, fencing and planting to improve inanga populations.

Eastern Whio Link, East Coast: Maintaining and rebating 400 traps with stoat lures and CO2 gas canisters to enable whio (blue duck) population to thrive.

Flaxbourne-Waima, Marlborough: Improving severe lake erosion

and encouraging native wildlife to return through native planting and a pest control programme.

Sefton Saltwater Creek, Canterbury: Increasing existing water quality monitoring programme to sample four times a year.

Mid Taieri Wai, Otago: Implementing a water quality monitoring programme.

Makarewa Headwaters, Southland: Implementing a native planting and pest control programme. Ad ditionally, creating a shared space that can be used for others. Applications for this year’s grants are open until Wednesday 5 July. Groups can register their interest in funding now at https://landcare.org.nz/project/ westpac-water-care-project.

Former Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman, Nathan Guy and Stuart Smith join locals overlooking a map of the proposed Flaxbourne Irrigation Scheme in 2016.

Furever Friends - Pet Cremation Service

By Chris Valli

The loss of an animal companion is unique to any other kind of loss from death. The grief is profound. Pets are not more or less meaningful in our lives than humans.

Cue Furever Friends.

Owned by Blenheim husband and wife duo Walter and Gemma Amsler, the cremation business opened in August 2016.

Being pet owners themselves, they understand that losing a pet can be overwhelming. They both own a dog and a cat but are looking to add to their ‘fur family’ in the not too distant future.

Gemma says the idea of a pet cremation business came about after learning of friends sending their own beloved pets to Christchurch or Nelson for cremation which Gemma says was something they did not want for their own pets.

“After a few discussions with the vets here

in Marlborough we decided to go ahead and begin our journey to start our own cremation service,” says Gemma.

So what reaction do they get from people when mentioning their line of work?

Gemma says once the conversation begins they take care of each pet like it is their own, people reiterate it is a wonderful service to provide at a time of great sadness and grief.

“The most important thing we get asked is, will it be our own pet’s ashes? We cremate every pet individually, they have their own unique log number which goes with them through the cremation process to guarantee no confusion of ashes.”

The business provides and offers two types of wooden urns made from mahogany and totara which are sustainably sourced and hand crafted in New Zealand. Otherwise, ashes can be returned in a black cardboard urn.

Gemma is adamant that owning a pet

Animal Health

Arthritis develops as a result of joint damage caused by: trauma (injury or overuse), dietary imbalance, and deformity (developmental or genetic). Some breeds are more susceptible, such as bow-legged breeds like the English Bulldog and Pekingese or fast-growing large breeds such as the Rottweiler and German Shepherd. A raw diet with bones will provide many of the nutrients needed to maintain joint health,

Cattery 122

Cattery122 provides a unique purpose built cattery which is fully insulated with a ventilated ducting system, continuously introducing fresh air and for the removal of stale air.

Cattery122 provides individually housed units (no communal living) set in a peaceful, rural location surrounded by farm animals

brings many rewards and is a holistic, reciprocal relationship in all shapes and forms.

“From our experience we have so many positives to having pets in our family. For us they are part of our family and life wouldn’t be the same without having them around,” she says.

Indeed losing a pet and the grieving process happens only gradually and can’t be forced or hurried. Whatever one’s grief experience, it’s important to be patient and allow the process to naturally unfold.

So what’s the best thing about what Furever Friends do?

“Returning peoples beloved pets ashes back to them and easing the distress that comes after losing a loved fur baby,” Gemma says. Contact Walter and Gemma at Furever Friends https://www.fureverfriendsmarlborough.com, email fureverfriendsmarlborough@hotmail.com or on 027 824 7383.

such as calcium, collagen and cartilage. Chewing on bones (chicken necks and brisket) will also improve dental health. Weight management, if overweight, and careful exercise, by avoiding excessive ball chasing, are important in managing arthritis. For further information visit the website www.greatandsmall.co.nz or contact veterinarian Dr Chris Piper. Email chris@ greatandsmall.co.nz, ph 0274985404

and an everchanging landscape. Without a doubt, your cat will have a secure, warm, dry and cosy stay with us.

We are committed to caring for the welfare of your furry family member.

Your cat can relax here during their stay, it will become their “home away from home”. We look forward to seeing you!

Specifically formulated for small dogs, the kibble size suits small teeth. Delicious and high quality pasture-raised venison. High-protein and grain free. $3395

New Library

I support Errol Gardiner’s letter regarding the library move. Makes me wonder if the person that chose an out of town business had personal ties to the owner. Disgusting that a local wasn’t chosen.

Renwick Cafe

As a regular supporter of local business’s I was appalled last Monday when I met with some friends for coffee and on arrival was confronted by 3 very large dogs who wandered around the patio sniffing people and the tables, barking very loudly and then relieving themselves on the grass lawn. My friends and I will now drive into cafes towards town to have coffee etc . It was disgusting.

Ferries

What is wrong with the ferries this week?! Yes they are running but they are so loud all night long! My house is double glazed windows with no windows open at night at this time of year yet I am still being woken up and kept up three times a night. Not good enough!

Priorities please!

Many tens of thousands low income Families & Superannuitants are struggling to put food on the table, pay rent, rates, mortgages & power bills.

Yet, our ‘lovely’ Parliamentarians are absurdly prioritising spending taxpayers money on unnecessary bi-lingual signage. A very, very sad state of affairs.

Re: Winston

The old cunning fox. Sorry, not to be trusted he continues to live off his Gold Card for seniors, but he only really brought it in for his own elected good, not ours. And he hasn’t done anything since. Broke many of his promises to Jacinda when he partnered with Labour and played off the Nats which he never intended joining as he was intent on suing them. Sorry Winston you’ve lost my trust. Time to lie down.

Get out more

I’ve noticed in Blenheim there are a couple of drinking establishments which are at opposite ends of town with a section of hard-core regulars who dare you to join their table with their looks. I’ve been trying to infiltrate one particular table since moving to Blenheim , no joy so far, my wife tells me there’s always hope .

Staffing

Turned on radio and couldn’t believe what I was hearing, a well known parliamentary reporter was telling the interviewer that the PM has a staff of 85 and that former PM Robert Muldoon had a staff of 6, I just wonder what they all do, must be part of the 14000 extra govt employees.

Re: Marley music

Gee whizz really New Zealand is still New Zealand regardless of pronunciation.

Bridge Eyesore

Does anyone else think the High Street Bridge is an eyesore?

I know it is old and in need of replacing, but surely the council can keep up the maintenance and replace the rickety wood barrier and give it a bit of paint. I’ve contacted the council three times only to be told it’s in the long term plan. Maintenance please council.

What’s going on?

What’s going on with the Rubbish truck’s we are asked to separate rubbish and recycle then it all goes into one truck. If the contractor hasn’t got the right machines to do the job then get rid of them they are mocking the council.

Roundabouts v traffic lights

Roundabouts win. Roundabouts keep traffic flowing, if used properly! Traffic lights slow down traffic. Regarding indicating at Roundabouts. When I approach a roundabout, I look to my right to check for vehicles. If a vehicle has, or is about to enter the roundabout, I wait. If a vehicle is approaching and I know I have time to proceed, I will. If I am going straight through, I put my right hand indicator on to let the vehicle on my left know my intention. When I am parallel to the vehicle on my left, I flick my indicator to the left to let the vehicle on my right know my intention to go straight ahead so they can enter the roundabout, thus keeping the traffic flowing. If everyone used their indicators correctly, or at all, the traffic flow would be a lot smoother. Replies will be interesting!

Hearing impaired

As there are more hearing impaired people in the world than Maori in New Zealand why is sign language not compulsory in our schools. I believe it should be our second language. Just saying.

I Site

A new I Site where EcoWorld once stood on the Picton foreshore? Nonsense. Nelson and Kaikoura have closed theirs as they cost ratepayers hundreds of thousands $$$’s to operate. Get into 2023. Tourists use phones and save 15% Commission to a destination Marlborough! They are a costly relic of yesterday!!!

Scooters

Do motorized scooters need a warrant? Was just passed by one on Maxwell Road doing way over the speed limit!!!!

Re: Boiling water

This costs, service costs, utensils cost, cleaning costs! Shouldn’t you pay for you?

We tend to feel guilty when only buying a coffee and a sit down. Contrast in attitude? We’re in our seventh decade.

Heritage Education

MDC, MP, please do all you can to secure funds for Heritage Education. Have had 4 children benefit from it. Recent ANZAC class - excellent local content. Next gen. won’t care & no interest in museums without Heritage Education Marlborough.

Road signs

Too right the emphasis being placed on having bilingual road signs around the country is way out of whack. Waka Kotahi just focus on upgrading roads! The English language is and should continue to be the most prominent while those that want to use te reo can do so. Unnecessary waste of $ changing signs at this stage.

Ironic

Popocateptl volcano erupts in time with the government’s Budget announcements of millions on emissions spending. Perhaps the gods are laughing.

Talk of the week

Hearing

Re the texter complaining about English subtitles on an English spoken Flu advert. Not all of us are blessed with good hearing. The subtitles are for the hearing impaired.

Thank you Clock

Thanks to a lovely lady ‘Joyce’ who rang in and told us we have the best paper going. Much appreciated.

OMG, $65,000 for the clock project & it hasn’t worked for a year! Surely there must be a more cost effective (& modern) solution going forward? Good intentions, wasted money.

We welcome your texts on 027 242 5266.

Limit to 70 words please. We reserve the right to publish at our discretion. Please note the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Sun management.

Sarah McaliSter

Warrior Women Coaching

I am a Health Coach and Hypnotherapist

 Are you a dog or cat person?

I have both, a cat called Chicken and a wee dog named Mavis. Both rescue animals.

 My friends would say I am…

I’d like to think they would say that I won’t let my friends talk poorly of themselves, self-talk needs to be positive and reaffirming. I did put the question to my friends and I only got cheeky answers.

 The best advice I ever received was?

There is a path up every mountain, sometimes you just have to take it slow or climb over things to get there.

 What would you buy if money was no object?

I would buy a building to create a women’s wellness centre, where women can get all sorts of health care at low cost or free.

 Local coffee haunt?

Hakuna Matata Cafe has great coffee and service, I’d have to say it’s my grown-up clubhouse.

 Favourite takeaway?

Hot chips, with lots of salt and maybe some garlic butter.

 The shop you can’t walk past is...?

An Op shop, I love the thrill of finding a bargain or a vintage piece.

 What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever received?

When I was in my early 20s every day on the way to work I passed an antique shop and it had a beautiful china tea set in the window but it was out of my price range. One day I arrived at work to find it on my desk. My partner had brought the set, even though we struggled financially with building a business and two young kids. I still have it and use it in my office today.

 Where is your happy holiday place?

I am a mad keen tramper, so anywhere in the backcountry or up a mountain, that’s where I recharge.

 What favourite programme or series currently watching?

I just finished “Working Moms”. It’s funny because we all feel like that sometimes. Watch it, you will see what I mean.

gardening this week

Fresh greens in winter: By Wally Richards

Like to grow some fresh, highly nutritious greens this time of the year when sunlight hours are short and stuff is slow to grow?

This is also a way to be able to have emergency healthy food when things are not so good.

How you achieve this is to sprout seeds for eating, often referred to as ‘Sprouts’

In the past sprouts were done in an Agee preserving jar with a screen sieve. You would place a few seeds into the jar and cover with non chlorinated water and sit on window sill in kitchen.

Each day you would tip the water out using the sieve like screen to stop the seeds falling out.

Fresh water would be added and the above would be repeated daily till the seeds had sprouted and reached a nice size which you then used in sandwiches or salads.

Very nutritious and very simple to do.

Now days it’s even easier with a four tier seed sprouter from Egmont Seeds. Called Mr Fothergills Kitchen Seed Sprouter they sell for $20.00.

On web at https://www.egmontseeds.co.nz/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=sprouter.

You have 4 sprouting levels which means you can sprout 4 different types of seeds or mixes at any one time.

A small amount of seeds is placed in each level and water is applied to the top tier, then because of sprouter outlet caps in the base of each level (which can be adjusted to allow an amount of water flow to next level) the water works its way down through the tiers.

Then finally the water ends up in the reservoir where you can either dispose of it or use it a second time round.

Doing this alone with the sprouter on the kitchen window sill will give you very nutritious greens to add to your winter diet.

But you can change then into super sprouts by adding a few mils of Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL) to the non-chlorinated water.

MBL is rich in humate and fulvic acid along with minerals and elements which the sprouting seeds will absorb as they germinate and grow. Incredibly good for your health and great for those wishing to trim up a bit before summer.

One of the problems is that our traditional Super Market food chain is poor in nutritional values unless you are growing a good amount of vegetables yourself naturally. This means when you cook up a meal

from supermarket produce and have to add condiments to make it taste ok (home grown produce tastes great and does not need condiments to fool your body into accepting it).

So you eat a full meal of supermarket produce and when you are finished you are likely to still feel a bit hungry.

Actually you are not hungry but that is the feeling you get as your body is saying, ‘Thanks for the stuff but where are the minerals and elements that I need to work properly?’

So inadvertently you pig out on potato chips or something to squash the feeling of having not eaten enough.

Now you are going to put on some extra pounds and your body still is not satisfied as you need nutrition not food stuffing.

Sprouting seeds with MBL is a nexcellent way to get the goodness your body needs to be healthy, it is in the same top food tier as ‘smoothies’ and wheat grass juice (done with minerals).

Now to get the seeds to sprout we go and have a look at Kings Seeds at https://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/results. html?q=seeds+for+sprouting

They have a good range of seeds and seed mixes most of which are certified organic

Examples from their web site are:

Alfalfa: Our most popular sprout with a delicious nutty flavour. Excellent for gourmet salads, omelettes and sandwiches.

High in fibre, vitamins, minerals and proteins. Research has found Alfalfa fibre pushes cholesterol out of the arteries while its saponins also scrub and dissolve it.

The sprouts are many times more nutritious if exposed to the sunlight about the fifth day after germination. They can then be harvested.

Organic Energy mix: Alfalfa, Flax, Rocket, Broccoli Raab, Red Clover and Fennel.

A tasty, aromatic and invigorating blend that stimulates the body and digestive system.

As the Flax and Rocket are both

mucilaginous-forming seeds when germinating, particular care needs to be shown to rinse and drain well in the first few days.

At harvest, the Fennel sprout will not be as developed as the others but both its seed husk and sprout should be used.

Organic High Health mix:A tasty nutritious mix of different brassica including Green Broccoli, Pak Choi, and Tuscan Black Kale.

High in vitamins and soluble fibre for cleansing the digestive system and building resistance to bowel and bladder disease. Seeds are easy to sprout reaching maturity using rinse and drain method in 6-10 days.

Organic Vita plus blend: Alfalfa 40%, Red Clover 30%, Daikon Radish 10%, Radish 10%, Broccoli Raab 10%.

Highly nutritious blend of sprouts, rich in minerals, amino acids and antioxidants combining the mild tastes of Alfalfa and Red Clover with the spicy bite of Broccoli Raab, Radish Daikon and Radish.

Organic Stir Fry Combo: Contains Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Lentil (Lens culinaris), Mung (Vigna radiata). Delicious, succulent and nutty sprout blend to stir fry in Asian dishes or to eat raw in salads and sandwiches.

Easily digested and highly nutritious with heaps of Vitamins B1 and B2, Iron, Potassium, Folic Acid and Protein. Soluble fibre helps break down cholesterol, lower blood pressure and regulate blood sugars.

Initially soak seeds for several hours then drain. Rinse 3-4 times daily for 3-4 days. Harvest when sprouts are length of the seed (15mm) and store in fridge in a covered container.

Note; seeds which are mucilaginous-forming seeds when germinating you toss the water and MBL mix and do a fresh lot to get rid of the mucilaginous. Otherwise be healthy this winter with tasty health treats from sprouts.

Note: Store unused seeds in a glass jar with lid in the fridge where they will keep happily for years ready to use any time.

BIGGEST SALE EVER

50% off hundreds of plants with huge discounts on fruit trees ferns, shrubs and other natives and succulents plus 20% off on all nursery plants

THUMBS UP FOR THE HUNT: Tian Swanepoel, Lachie Townsend, Marcel Swanepoel and Marka Swanepoel.

YOU BEAUTY: Ben Norris from the Marlborough Motor Centre, Sam Lunn and daughter and Rowan Ingpen, Woodbourne Tavern.

Luke Zillwood and Solomon Smith.

THUMBS UP: Bunny Lippiatt happy in her work.

Nev Gane of Marlborough Hunting and Fishing and Jarod Bryant.

Beth Bowden-Bolquhoun, Carolyn Coles and Steve Hannah.

READING FOR THE HERD OF DEER: Ollie Taylor, Duncan Higgins and Ryan Holdaway. Blue Blick and Fenella Cooney.

33 Sue

Duckworth 32 30+ Jenny Evans 29 May 25th

Medal Stuart McLagan 38 Duncan Cassidy 37

David Waters 36 Graeme Daines 36 Don March

34 Don Lamond 33 Desz Campbell 31 Mike

Gardiner 31 Alan Gibbons 31 Phil Starkey 31

9 holes Stableford Bob Tapp 18 Brain Brown

16 Pani Swann 14 May 27th Stableford Kobe

Hart 40 Dan Crawfor 39 Alex Herd 34 Trent

Davies 34 Desz Campbell 34 Ezra Kahaki 34

Roy Lilley 34 Seagers Gin Combined mixed

Stableford Desz Campbell Vickie Lane 73

Wed 31 May: Mens Midweek Stableford: Peter Browning 39, Iain Berrie 38, Mike Walker 37, Tony Nichol 36, Graham Ilott 35, Arthur Ross 35, Terry Lane 34, Dennis Wye 34, Clarry Neame 34, Alan Rutedge 33, Rob Lopez 33, John Muir 33, Terry Allen 33.

Thu 1 Jun: Ladies Midweek Net Medal: Vicki Eastgate 69, Helen Neame 71, Annie Hubert 74, Lynn Naysmith 74, Marilyn Smith 77, Mariann Grant 78, Di Betts 79, Pat Olliver 79. Sat 3 Jun: Net Medal: Ladies - Lynn Naysmith 75, Anne Newman 77, Janet Laing 77, Marilyn Smith 78, Frances Price 83, Mariann Grant 83.

NTP Fairweathers 9/18 Rachel Bell Sowmans

3/12 Trent Davies May 29th 9 hole stableford

Dave Menzies 21 Ian Clark 17 Brian Burgess

17 Ladies Helen Neame 14 Jan Pegler 14 May

31st Medal 0-29 Elaine Brown 79 Judith Batty

80 30+ Colleen McLeod 84 9 Holes Medal Ann

Walker 39 Kay Ayson 42 Shirley Godsiff 43 June

1st Stableford Glen Hurcomb 37 Don Lamond 35

Mike McConnell 33 Alan Gibbons 33 Phil Starkey 32 Bob Tappp 32 Graeme Daines 31 Graeme

Parker 31 9 Holes Stableford Barry Mosley 18

Ian Clark 13 June 3rd Monthly medal Gross

Ezra Kahaki 74 Net Albertus van Dyk 67 Dave

Menzies 68 Brian Yarrall 69 Jamie Norton 71

Andrew Stowell 72 Don Lamond 73 Don March

73 Helmut Adendorff 73 Ladies Medal Rachel, Bell 77 Leanne Stowell 81 NTP Fairweathers

9/18 Tere Poa Sowmans 3/12 Brent Baker

Sat 3 Jun: 4BBB: Mel Hampton/Chris Young 63, Pete Bishell/Bevan Boon 65, Rob Chee/Glen Griffiths 66, Richard Bruce/Leanne Young 69, Steve Shallcrass/John McLauchlan 69, Rex McGarry/ Alison Graham 69, Grant Hagen/Colin Baker 69, Robbie Lacey/Yvonne Wallace 70, Toyah McKinney/ Bill Lacey 71

Women’s Interclub Golf played at Marlborough Sunday 28th May: Marlborough 40 -5 v Picton 32-5. Rarangi 37.5, Kaikoura 34 .5, Blenheim 35.5, Wairau Valley 36.5. 1st Marlborough 170 . 5, 2nd Blenheim 169, 3rd Kaikoura 166.5. Thank you to all people that played.

Mens - Tony Nichol 72, Jake Nurse 72, Alan Rutledge 72, David Price 72, Bruce Verry 73, Owen Gibbs 73, Maxwell Short 75, Terry Allen 75, Bruce Curgenven 76. Dennis Wye 76. Sun 4 Jun: Stableford & American Stableford: Ladies - Marilyn Smith 43, Helen Neame 38, Mariann Grant 38, Dale McCrindle 35, Jacqui Hurcomb 33.

Mens - Brian Gill 54, Tony Nichol 54, Jerome January 53, Mike Garrett 51, Clarry Neame 51, Shane Weaver 50, Lindsay McAlpine 50, Alan Rutledge 50.

Tue 30 May, 9 Hole Stableford Div.1: Leana Gargiulo 19, Christine Burns 16. Div.2: Rebecca Harvey 15, Eleanor White 10, Roslyn Leov 10.

Wed 31 May, women’s stableford Div.1: Karen Morris 33, Jane Anderson-Bay 30. Div.2: Jo Grigg

27. Div.3: Annette Wilkinson 31, Ann Duncan 24.

Thu 1 June, men’s stableford Div.1: Hugh Bay 35, Tony Gill 30, Jon Nicol 29. Div.2: John Wadsworth

35, Charlie Leith 31, Robert Hille 30, Jeff Clarke 30, Ian Walker 30.

Tues 30th May: Individual: John Muir (Rarangi) 37 points; 2. Ian Aldridge (Picton) 37 points; 3. John Saxon 36 points; 4. Michael Ashworth 35 points; 5. Nick Wright 34 points; 6. Ash Ticehurst 33 points; 7. Stuart McLagan (Blenheim), Jeffrey Pascoe (Picton), Dennis Wye (Rarangi) and John

Sat 27 May: McIsaac Cup Par - Ian Aldridge t3, Iain Berry t3 ; Aaron Wilson t2, Mike Ashworth t2; Wayne Pratt -1. Brian Caver -1, Helen McIsaac -1, Tere Poa -1, Vicki Eastgate -1, Len Barlow -2.

Thu 1 Jun: S/F-Hiram Taylor 40; Bill Gaterell 38; Ant Booker 36; Gary Aldridge 35; Andrew Sunley

Sat 3 June, Women’s Monthly Mug Gross:Julie Nicolle 89. Net: June Maslin 75. Net medal Div.1: Lucy Jefferis 76. Div.2:Annaliisa Farrell 76, Julie Knowles 84. Men’s Monthly Mug Gross: Kerry Fyfe 76. Net: Gerry Rooney 72. Net medal Div.1: Mike MacLeod 72, Pete Marfell 73, Wesley Green 76. Div.2: Tim Abrahams 73, James Tyson 75, Steve Young 75, Kevin Price 76, Daniel Taylor 76. Div.3: Neal Ibbotson 73, Bob Nicolle 78, Scott Wight 78.

McLauchlan (Wairau Valley) 32 points.

Team: 1st Picton # 1: 106 points. Mike Ashworth, Nick Wright, Ian Aldridge and Richley Down. 2nd Picton #2: 98 points. 3rd Wairau Valley: 95 points. Next Tournament: Monday 12th June 2023 at Rarangi Golf Club.

34; James Fattorini 33, Leigh S/Smith 33,Trevor Gullery 33, Iain Berrie 33.

Fri 2 Jun: 9H Scrambled Eggs - Denise Finch 22, Dido Harper 22; Joyce MeClelland 20, Lyn Pawson 20, Anita McCaffrey 20; Margaret Frisken 18, Mary Butler 18, Anne Berrie;

Blue Duck nude midwinter swim

By Chris Valli

Wanting to brighten up the shortest days? Then this may help.

Science has shown that cold water stimulates one’s body to increase blood flow circulation. Subsequently, increasing circulation redistributes blood and delivers freshly oxygenated blood to areas of the body that need to recover.

It’s timely then that the idea of a midwinter swim at St Arnaud came from a Department of Conservation staff midwinter dinner in 2002.

The Blue Duck Nude Midwinter Swim has been running for more than 20 years and is now a well-established event. At 600 metres it’s the highest altitude midwinter swim in the country.

Organiser Bill McEwan says it’s family friendly and has always been small compared with the large more commercial midwinter swims on the coast.

“Last year there were about 20 of us, of all ages,” he says. “We call ourselves ‘survivors’ and new swimmers ‘the misled.’”

Bill says punters go in at the East Jetty at Kerr Bay, Lake Rotoiti by the campground as there is more shelter there and it’s away from the other jetty where the eels are.

“It’s quiet, small and natural. We say “Just the lake, the stones and the swimmer.” Pretty much everyone goes nude but you don’t have to.”

“Most of us share a love of our greater-than-human world, gratitude for life and a sense of fun.”

Bill says the motivation for the event is because ‘many of us live in an artificial, constructed world’ and ‘this is a great opportunity to join with others at a dark, cold time of the year in something elemental’, a little unusual and enjoyable.

“There’s a great feeling after, which I love,” he says. “We have a joke about one of us who swam out into

the lake for 20 strokes and back in for just 10, the last four of which were over dry land.”

Bill encourages those to come

Table Tennis player compete at champs

By Chris Valli

A large contingent of Marlborough table tennis players and supporters travelled to Christchurch last weekend for the South Island Teams Tournament and the Canterbury Open

The men’s side of Alex Kennedy, Michael Kamson, Nathan Cross and Josh Sim had some tough matches with Alex the only player from last year’s team.

Their closest match was a 4-3 loss against Otago with Alex winning both of his singles and combining with Nathan for a doubles win.

Following defeats against Canterbury 1 and Canterbury 2, which both had national team players in them, their last match was against Southland. The southerners won 5-2, with Marlborough’s points coming from a singles win to Michael and a doubles win to Alex and Nathan.

Matt Millar and Jason Kennedy played in the Veterans Section and after a first up loss to Nelson1 by 4-1. They beat Canterbury1 3-2,

Canterbury2 4-1 and Nelson2 4-1. They finished with a three wins, one loss record, the same as Nelson1 and Canterbury1.The Marlborough duo finished third on a countback with Nelson1 winning the grade. Matt won 7 out of 8 singles.

The Under-15 Boys’ Team had strong opposition but managed to get a good win over Otago2.

Oliver Phipps won 5 singles out of 10, with Adam Beattie and fill-in player Seth Fernando each winning 3 out of 10.

The Under-13 Boys’ Team finished third and just missed out on second place. They beat Otago 4-3 and South Canterbury 5-2 and lost to Canterbury2 by 4-3 and the powerful Canterbury1 team by 7-0.

Hunter Wong won 5 from 7, Harry Speakman 3 from 8 and Tommy Phipps 3 from 5. Levi van Kuyk played his first matches at this level and won a set against Canterbury2.

Zaraya and Cora Wilson were also making their tournament debut and came up against strong

opposition in Canterbury and Southland in the Girls’ Under-13 Grade.

Alex Kennedy had a great showing in the A Grade as he qualified for the last 32 in the singles. He combined with Marlborough Open finalist Max Henderson in the Men’s Doubles and the unseeded duo beat the top seeds, Canterbury’s Sang Yong Park and Mr Han in the quarter finals, before losing in the semi-finals. This was a good win as Mr Han went on to win the Men’s Singles.

Nathan Cross won the C Grade after beating two Canterbury players.

Jacqui Wood combined with her daughter, Vanessa Wood-Lin, for a semi-final finish in the Women’s Doubles.

Oliver Phipps and Harry Speakman reached the semi-final of the Boys’ Under-15 Boys’ Doubles. Harry also reached the semi-final of the Under-13 Boys’ Doubles with Hunter Wong and then did really well to reach the quarter finals of the Boys’ Under-13 Singles.

on up and bring warm food and drinks and something to sit on for a shared lunch after.

The midwinter swim will be

Players selected for NZ U20’s rugby

The Tasman Mako has two players selected in the New Zealand U20 rugby team to contest the world cup in South Africa.

Macca Springer and Noah Hotham, are part of the 30 man squad with Noah captaining the team. The World Cup kicks off in a few weeks where New Zealand

play France, Wales and Japan in their pool.

The 2023 edition will be the second time that South Africa welcomes the future stars of the game after 2012 when the Junior Springboks won on home soil. The age-grade tournament will be held from 24 June-14 July.

Penney Crusaders bound ‘24

By Chris Valli

Crusaders rugby fans will have a new coach next year with the appointment of Rob Penney to replace Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson.

Penney, a former Canterbury coach helped mentor Robertson in the early part of his professional coaching career and has been coaching in Japan after being sacked as head coach of the Waratahs in 2021.

The two year deal will see him joined by current Crusaders assistants Tamati Ellison, James Marshall and Dan Perrin along with newcomer Matt Todd, a former Crusaders and All Blacks

loose forward.

Robertson is leaving the Crusaders after seven years at the helm to coach the All Blacks after this year’s World Cup. Current Crusaders assistant Scott Hansen will join him at the All Blacks. “I’m excited and honoured to have been selected to lead the coaching group at the Crusaders from 2024 onwards,” Penney said in a statement.

“The Crusaders franchise has a strong history and record of success and excellence, both in on-field performance and off-field culture, and I’m excited to immerse myself into the environment.”

at the East Jetty, Kerr Bay, Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park at 12.00 noon, Sunday, June 18.

Rob Penney pictured with Scott Robertson and Tabai Matson in 2010.

MARLBOROUGH PROUD: Blenheim’s Alex Kennedy had a great showing in the A Grade as he qualified for the last 32 in the singles. He combined with Marlborough Open finalist Max Henderson in the Men’s Doubles and the unseeded duo beat the top seeds, Canterbury’s Sang Yong Park and Mr Han in the quarter finals, before losing in the semi-finals.